Pre-paid entertainment/informational system

ABSTRACT

A computerized method and system for providing pre-recorded data and/or a live connection via the use of a pre-paid phone card, pre-paid account and/or calling card. A user requests access to the computerized system by entering a pin code number. Once accessed is authorized, user will be navigated thru system to a database of pre-recorded stories, fantasies, descriptions and/or information so they can listen to one or more of them. If user opts to have a conversation with a live connection i.e, a personified person, about a story, fantasy, description and/or information instead of the listening to the pre-recorded data, they will then be connected via the computer system to an extension to proceed with said conversation. This system and method can be utilized with the help of a telephone, cell phone, television, internet, CD, DVD, and/or by any communications means present or otherwise.

[0001] This present invention is a computerized method and system forproviding pre-recorded data and/or a live connection via the use of apre-paid phone card, pre-paid account and/or calling card.

[0002] The pre-recorded data shall comprise of stories, fantasies,descriptions and/or information as told to user in the voice of anautomated person, a personified person and/or character. The liveconnection will comprise of a conversation between a user and apersonified person who will convey to and/or converse with user about astory, fantasy, description and/or information.

[0003] The design of the pre-paid phone card, pre-paid account and/orcalling card shall have on side one the monetary value, a photograph,picture, drawing, and/or description of the pre-recorded data and/orlive connection associated with that card. On side two, an accessnumber, information on how to use the card, a personal identificationnumber (pin code), associated websites and company logo.

[0004] A pre-paid account shall comprise of any account that has beenset-up and/or utilized to grant access to the pre-recorded data and/orlive connection.

[0005] This computerized system shall be accessed once the authorizationof the personal identification number received thru the use of apre-paid phone card, pre-paid account and/or calling card is verified.Once access is granted, user will then be navigated thru the system tothe pre-recorded data and/or live connection associated with that card.

[0006] If for some reason the user cannot gain access to thecomputerized system, they will then be connected to a customer servicerepresentative. Only if the reason for non-access is determined to betime value expiration, then user will be given the option to obtainadditional time. Billing information will be requested from user andprocessed via the computer system by a series of voice commands, touchcommands and/or by any means present or otherwise. User will also havethe option to obtain time value when time on pre-paid card, pre-paidaccount and or calling has almost expired. User will be informed priorto the end of the pre-recorded data and/or live connection of timelimitations and user will have the option to buy additional time.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0007] Prepaid phone cards, pre-paid accounts and/or calling cards aregenerally used to connect to long distance service providers. However,all of these pre-paid systems are not used to connect to a service whichprovides pre-recorded data of a story, fantasy, description and/orinformation. Also, these pre-paid systems are not used to grant accessto a live connection, i.e. a personified person, who will convey toand/or converse with user about a story, fantasy, description and/orinformation. Thus, this invention utilizes the use of these variouspre-paid systems to connect to a computerized system that will allowuser to listen to pre-recorded data and/or speak to a live connection.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] This invention provides for a computerized method and system ofusing a pre-paid phone card, pre-paid account and/or calling card tolisten to pre-recorded data and/or to speak to a live connection. Thepre-recorded data shall comprise of a story, fantasy, description and/orinformation. The live connection shall consist of a conversation where astory, fantasy, description and/or information is convey to and/orconversed about with user.

[0009] The pre-paid phone cards, pre-paid accounts and/or calling cardsmay have on side one, the monetary value, a photograph, picture,drawing, and/or description of the pre-recorded data and/or liveconnection associated with that card. On side two, an access number,information on how to use the card, a personal identification number(pin code), associated websites and company logo. For example, on thefront of a card, has how much the card costs, a picture of a characternamed “Mr. Bentwood”, this card will give you a brief description of“Mr. Bentwood” and if the pin code will grant access to a pre-recordingor a live connection with “Mr. Bentwood” Also on the front of some orall of the cards, there will be a push a button to hear a briefpre-recorded message from “Mr. Bentwood.” On the back-side of the cardwill have a access number, instructions using the card, a pin code,associated websites and company logo.

[0010] Once the user has purchased the card, they will then use acommunications method and/or device such as a telephone, to access thecomputerized system. For example, after a user has the card they usesthir home phone to call the access number then enter the pin code. Thecomputerized system will then let the user to know that specific pincode gives them access to listen to a 20 minute story told to them by“Mr. Bentwood.” The computerized system will then tell the user that thecharacter “Mr. Bentwood” has four different stories stored in the database and they must say or push number 1 to hear story 1, say or pushnumber 2 to hear story 2, ect.

[0011] Another example of card use, is that after the pin code isentered and user is authorized, the computerized system will let userknow that that pin code gives them access to a live connection to speakwith “Mr. Bentwood” for 20 minutes about a specific fantasy and/or afantasy of their choice. The computerized system will then connect themto an extension to converse with “Mr. Bentwood”

[0012] One of the major advantages of using this invention is theability for users to set a budget. This invention will limit the amountof money a user spends depending on the monetary value of the card. Theuser knows how much the service cost and can budget accordingly.

[0013] This invention is so useful that it can accompany user to anylocation, and could be used at any time at any place. For example a useris on a business tip and they are lonely in their hotel room. They areupset at the fact that they were supposed to go hunting this weekend.The go down stairs to the lobby of the hotel and tells the receptionistthat he wishes to open a an account that will give them access to thecomputerized entertainment database for an hour. The user pays $20 intotheir new account and the receptionist activates their account and givethem a pin code. The user now goes back up stairs and presses theappropriate number, and is told that he has an one hour of access timeto the entertainment computerized system. After going thru theprocedures and choosing a story of going “deer hunting”, user can lie inhis bed with the lights out and relaxed and listen for an entire hour tohis story.

[0014] This invention is also great to be used with the television aswell. A specific channel(s) is designated for its use. A user purchasesa pre-paid card, goes home and calls an access number that will grantthem access to a specific channel(s). Once user is granted access, theythen watch the character associated with that card and listen to thefantasy they had requested thru the computerized system.

[0015] Some of the pre-paid cards, pre-paid accounts and or callingcards can be geared specifically to adults. Those cards will have ontheir font an advisory of “ADULT CONTENT” and that they cannot be soldto minors. For example a minor comes in a grocery store and says hewants a card that has on a photo of “Boom Boom Belinda.” The owner ofthe store sees that on the card that there is an advisory of adultcontent that that card shall not be sold to minors. The store ownerproceeds to inform the minor that they must show ID to purchase thatcard. If appropriate Identification is not supplied, card shall not besold. The owner could then suggest to the minor an alternative card,“Mars Exploration” a story of going on a space adventure to mars.

[0016] As a added bonus of purchasing a pre-paid phone card, pre-paidaccount and/or pre-paid calling card, user may receive in packagingand/or thru place of purchase, a poster of a photograph, picture ordrawing that is similar or the same as the one on the card.

[0017] If during access to the pre-recorded data and/or live connection,if time value expires, user may have the option to replenish theirpre-paid phone card, pre-paid account and/or calling card by supplyingthe necessary information via the use of voice commands, touch commandsand/or by any means present or otherwise, to retrieve specified monetaryamount. For example a user utilized the pre-paid account and haspre-paid for 30 minutes. During the time of the live connection, theuser only has only 1 minute left on their account, the computerizedsystem then tells the user that they only have one minute left and asksif they wish to continue beyond the 1 minute time period. The user willthen be instructed to say yes or press 1 or say no or press 2. If theuser says yes or presses 1, their “live connection will be temporarilyput on hold and the consumer will then be asked to say or punch in theneeded information to bill their credit card, telephone bill, checkingaccount or any means of payment available thru the computerized system.Once approval of payment has been confirmed by the system, user willthen be reconnect to their live connection. If consumer says no orpresses 2, the computerized system will then thank them and allow thesession to continue until time has expired.

[0018] This invention is a great source of entertainment or informationfor any sex or age group. It is an excellent tool for children, even onan educational basis. For example your child has an up coming algebraexam. You have to work late for the next two weeks and can't help themstudy. Also you might have no recollection on algebra. You could go andset-up a pre-paid account specifically for algebra. This account isvalid for one week. You give your child the access number and pin codenumber then tell them they have one week. When the child accesses thedatabase, they will be told that there are 7 different pre-recordingsand that each is 30 minutes. In that week period, that child could callin and listen to all 7 categorized pre-recordings or just thepre-recording they need the extra help with. Another variation of thealgebra pre-paid account is that a pre-paid account was set up for aweek to speak to a live connect, i.e. a math teacher, that will conversewith that child about algebra and help them better understand thatsubject better.

[0019] There are many variations to this invention. The main goal isthat entertainment and/or information can be conveniently accessible tothe consumer on a pre-paid basis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] This invention is described thru the following figures

[0021]FIG. 1: Is a flowchart of how to use this invention.

[0022]FIG. 2: Is a flow chart of how to use this invention via theInternet.

[0023]FIG. 3: Is a flowchart of how to use this invention via thetelevision.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] This present invention is a computerized method and system forproviding pre-recorded data and/or a live connection via the use of apre-paid phone card, pre-paid account and/or calling card forentertainment/Informational purposes. This invention could be used byany person of any age. It can be used by parents to help their childrenget access to information, it could be used by adults to go on a mentaljourney to faraway places.

[0025] This present invention is for the use of pre-paid phone cards,pre-paid accounts, and/or calling cards to be used to access acomputerized system. Pre-paid cards could be in a variety of monetarydenominations of $10, $20, $30, ect, that will represent the time valueallotted to user.

[0026] These pre-paid phone cards, pre-paid accounts, and/or callingcards could be sold in any type of store and/or establishment. They canalso be sold in establishments associated with the type of card that waspurchased, i.e. Adult stores, hunting shops, children stores,educational stores.

[0027] This invention is a great form of entertainment and a budgetaryconstraint. User can rest assured that they won't have to worry aboutover spending, calls being billed to telephone and/or credit card.

[0028] This present invention is a safe way, in that each pin code willonly be able to access the pre-recorded data base and/or live connectassociated with that card. That way a child with a pre-paid card for abedtime story cannot use the same pin code to access an adult story.

[0029] This present invention is a great marketing tool for companies aswell. They could purchase thousands of pre-paid cards and give them awayto random users, pre-paid cards that will advertise their business, ect.

[0030] This present invitation could be accessed with a CD and/or DVD.The user calls in activates the account with the pin code. User willthen be given a access code to enter when they launch the CD and/or DVDto get access to the pre-recorded data, photos, ect. of a specificcharacter.

[0031] A television is also a perfect tool for this invention. Itinvolves a user going to a specific channel(s), then calling in to thecomputerized system, uses the pin code, gets authorization, then accessshall be granted to that specific channel(s) then user will be connectedto speak to a live connect whom he will also be able to also see on thatchannel as they participate or act out a story, fantasy, descriptionand/or information. If user is granted access the pre-recorded database,they can then watch and listen to the character associated with thatcard tell a story, fantasy, description and/or information.

[0032] The internet is also a great tool for this invention. It involvesuser going to an associated website, user will then be prompted to entera pin code, then launch special software so they can connect to a liveconnect via the use of their computer headphones, microphone andspeakers to have desired conversation. If user opts for pre-recordeddate, they will be granted access to the webpage with the embeddedpre-recorded data along with associated photos, pictures, and drawings.

[0033] It is understood that this invention is not limited to theembodiments referred to above but will include any and all embodimentsand/or variations of this invention.

I claim:
 1. A computerized method and system for providing pre-recordeddata and/or a live connection via the use of a pre-paid phone card,pre-paid account and/or calling card.
 2. A method of claim 1, whereinpre-recorded data shall comprise of stories, fantasies, descriptionsand/or information.
 3. A method of claim 1, wherein pre-recorded datashall be in the voice of an automated person, a personified personand/or character.
 4. A method of claim 1, wherein a live connection is:A personified person who will converse with and/or convey to user,stories, fantasies, descriptions and/or information.
 5. A method ofclaim 1, wherein a live connection shall be a person, mimic a personand/or character.
 6. A method of claim 1, wherein pre-paid phone cards,pre-paid accounts and/or calling cards may have on side one, themonetary value, a photograph, picture, drawing, and/or description ofthe pre-recorded data and/or live connection associated with that card.7. A method of claim 1, wherein pre-paid phone cards, pre-paid accountsand/or calling cards may have on side two, an access number, informationon how to use the card, a personal identification number (pin code),associated websites and company logo.
 8. A method of claim 1, whereinpackaging of phone cards, pre-paid accounts and/or calling card may havea corresponding poster and/or cards of the photograph, picture and/ordrawing that is similar or the same as the one associated with thatcard.
 9. A method of claim 1, wherein the utilization of a telephone,cell phone, the Internet, television, DVD, CD and/or any means ofcommunication present or otherwise, shall be used along with thepre-paid phone card, pre-paid account and/or calling card to access thecomputerized system.
 10. A method of claim 9, wherein the utilization ofthe Internet shall comprise of user going to an associated website, userwill then be prompted to enter a pin code, then they will be grantedaccess to the pre-recorded data along with associated photos, pictures,and drawings.
 11. A method of claim 9, wherein the utilization of theInternet shall comprise of user going to an associated website, userwill then be prompted to enter a pin code, then launch special softwareso they can connect to a live connect via the use of their computerheadphones, microphone and speakers to have desired conversation.
 12. Amethod of claim 9, wherein the utilization of the television shallcomprise of user going to a specific channel(s), then calling in to thecomputerized system, uses the pin code number, gets authorization, thenaccess shall be granted to that specific channel(s) and user can thenwatch the character associated with that card and listen to the story;fantasy, description and/or information.
 13. A method of claim 9,wherein the utilization of the television shall comprise of user goingto a specific channel(s), then calling in to the computerized system,uses the pin code number, gets authorization, then access shall begranted to that specific channel(s) then user will be connected to speakto a live connect whom he will also be able to see on that channel asthey participate or act out a story, fantasy, description and/orinformation.
 14. A method wherein access to the computerized systemshall be granted thru the authorization of a personal identificationnumber (pin code) located on and/or obtained thru the use of a pre-paidphone card, pre-paid account and/or calling card.
 15. A method of claim14, wherein the computerized system shall determine at least one or allof the following, once the pre-paid signal has been received by thesystem: access authorization, expiration, time availability, productidentity and the category associated with the pre-paid phone card,pre-paid account and/or calling card.
 16. A method of claim 14, whereinif the computerized system cannot determine at least one or all of thefollowing, system shall grant user the option to obtain time value via apre-paid account and/or be connected to a customer servicerepresentative.
 17. Once authorization is established, user will benavigated thru computer system to a database of pre-recorded stories,fantasies, descriptions and/or information so they can listen to one ormore of them.
 18. Once authorization is established, if user has optedto have a conversation with a live connection i.e, a personified person,about a story, fantasy, description and/or information, instead oflistening to pre-recorded data, they will then be connected to anextension to proceed with said conversation.
 19. Time value allotted tolisten to the pre-recorded data and/or to speak to a live connection,shall be determined by the monetary amount paid for the pre-paid phonecard, pre-paid account and/or calling card.
 20. During access to thepre-recorded data and/or live connection, if time value expires, usermay have the option to replenish their pre-paid phone card, pre-paidaccount and/or calling card by supplying the necessary information viathe use of voice commands, touch commands and/or by any means present orotherwise, to retrieve specified monetary amount.